Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)

Popular Globe Amaranth Species

• Gomphrena globosa (Globe Amaranth) is a charming, bushy annual boasting a profusion of clover-like flower heads composed of pink, purple, or white papery bracts. Blooming for months from early summer to the first frost, the flowers are borne on stiff, upright branched stems. Native to Central America, Globe Amaranth grows up to 6-24 inches tall (15-60 cm).
• Gomphrena haageana (Rio Grande Globe Amaranth) is a tender perennial, often treated as an annual, boasting a profusion of ball-shaped flowers composed of fiery orange papery bracts. Peeping from the bracts are tiny yellow flowers. Blooming from early summer to the first frost, the flowers can be riveting in the garden. Native to the Southern U.S. and Mexico, they grow up to 24-30 inches tall (60-75 cm).

Why Should I Grow Globe Amaranth

There are numerous reasons to consider growing Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena) in your garden:

Long-Lasting Blooms: Globe Amaranth blooms from early summer all the way into fall, providing a consistent source of vibrant color in your garden.

Drought Tolerance: Once established, Gomphrena is exceptionally drought-tolerant, making it a smart choice for gardens in arid climates or regions prone to dry spells.

Attracts Pollinators: The bright, round flowers of Gomphrena are magnets for butterflies, adding another layer of life and beauty to your garden.

Deer Resistance: These plants are not a preferred food source for deer, which makes them an excellent choice for areas where these creatures are common.

Great for Cut and Dried Arrangements: The flowers of Gomphrena retain their color and shape when cut, making them a wonderful addition to both fresh and dried flower arrangements.

Easy to Grow: Gomphrena is fairly low-maintenance, requiring little beyond a sunny location and well-drained soil. They’re also relatively disease and pest-free.

Versatile Use: Globe Amaranth fits well in various garden settings. Whether you want to add color to your borders, create a vibrant rock garden, or fill your containers with a hardy bloomer, Gomphrena can do it all.

Variety of Colors: Available in shades of pink, purple, white, orange, and red, there’s a Globe Amaranth to match any color scheme.

All these features make Globe Amaranth a valuable addition to any garden, providing color, versatility, and hardiness in one beautiful package.

When to Plant Gomphrena?

• Seeds can be sown directly in the garden after your last spring frost date. Sow seeds at 60-65°F (15-18°C).
• Alternatively, start seeds indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost.
• Globe Amaranth germinates quickly, sprouting within 5-10 days and blooming in about 85-100 days.

Where to Plant Gomphrena?

• Globe Amaranth can be grown as an annual plant in hardiness zones 2-11 or as tender perennials in hardiness zones 9-11.
• Globe Amaranth performs best in full sun (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily) in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
• Good drought tolerance once established but performs best with regular moisture throughout the growing season.
• Globe Amaranth thrives in heat and tolerates dry soils and clay soils.
• Globe Amaranth is a great choice for beds and borders, edging, containers, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens.
• Bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects are drawn to the flowers, making Globe Amaranth a valuable addition to the vegetable garden.
• Globe Amaranth looks best planted in groups or drifts and is a good companion plant for Celosia, Rudbeckia (Black-Eyed Susan), Tagetes (Marigold), Zinnia.

How to Plant Gomphrena?

• When sowing directly into the garden, clear the area of weeds, then rake the surface to a fine, crumbly texture.
• It is more successful to start the Globe Amaranth seeds indoors.
• Set the seed on the soil surface. Do not cover with soil because Globe Amaranth needs light to sprout.
• Keep your newly sown Globe Amaranth at 75-85°F°F (25-30°C).
• Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout, which should take about 5-10 days.
• When the plants are 3-5 in. tall (7-12 cm) and nighttime temperatures outdoors are at least 60-65°F (15-18°C), harden them off by setting them outside in the shade for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time and sunlight.
• Transplant to the garden
• Pinch young plants to promote bushiness.

Growing and Caring Tips

Water and Moisture

• Globe Amaranth is somewhat drought tolerant but will perform better in moist soil.
• Water regularly throughout the growing season.
• Water when the soil’s top 1-2 inches (2-5 cm) are dry.

Fertilizer

• Globe Amaranth is a light feeder and does not need much fertilizer to thrive. If you mulch your plant with compost, you will not need to use fertilizer at all.

Deadheading / Pruning

• Globe Amaranth does not need deadheading.
• Pinch young plants to promote bushiness.

Harvesting

• The flowers are beautiful fresh, and excellent in dried flower arrangements and bouquets.
• Harvest flowers when they are fully developed.
• Cut an entire branching stem all the way to ground level. This sets up the plant to produce more stems.
• The flowers have a long vase life – 10 to 14 days.
• They can be dried easily if hung upside down in a cool, dark room. They retain their color indefinitely.

Propagating

• Globe Amaranth is propagated easily from seed.

Pest and Diseases

• Globe Amaranth has no serious pest or disease issues. However, some problems may occasionally occur:
• Powdery mildew, gray mold, and fungal leaf spots during prolonged cool, damp weather. Provide good poor air circulation between plants.